The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Compulsory registration of pet dogs, says GHMC

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Thursday, Feb 14, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Compulsory registration of pet dogs, says GHMC

Special Correspondent

Rs. 1,000 per annum tax for breeder dog
Token, nylon collars to be tied for better record

HYDERABAD: Tax of Rs. 1,000 per annum for a breeder dog after it attains the age of six months and compulsory registration of all pet dogs on payment of Rs. 50 a year for a non-breeder dog are among the new guidelines to be issued by GHMC to canine owners.

The new Animal Birth Control (dogs) Rules about to be notified by the Government soon has also laid down regulations towards controlling street dogs’ population as well as preventive measures to avoid dog bites.

A committee headed by the Additional Commissioner (Health & Sanitation) as the ex-officio Chairman is to be formed with the Chief Veterinary Officer as the Member-Secretary to oversee implementation of these rules. Other members are veterinarians from Blue Cross & People for Animals and GHMC dog squad and veterinary assistant surgeon from the Animal Husbandry Department.

The panel has to set up animal birth control centres and public health labs in the suburbs in association with the Animal Husbandry Department and NGOs. Each zone should have at least one veterinary hospital, dog pound for impounded dogs and camp sites for sterilisation/immunisations.

The rules have made it stiffer for municipal staff in the capture and handling of street dogs. Now, all dog catching squads have to be accompanied by an NGO representative. Captured dogs will be tagged and released in the same area in which they are caught.

Till date authorities were lax on mandatory registrations of dogs but this time even re-vaccination of street dogs using oral vaccine was laid down. Veterinarians themselves admit that anti-Rabies vaccine wears off in a year, hence the rule assumes importance. Besides clipped ears as means of identifying vaccinated street dogs, token or nylon collars are to be tied for a better record. No longer can diseased or ferocious dogs be disposed off just like that. Sick dogs should be treated and rehabilitated.

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Andhra Pradesh